Hair Dryer with Hair Holding Structure

ABSTRACT

A hair dryer which conveys an airflow alternatively in a first direction and in a second direction. A first or concentrating end of the hair dryer expels the airflow when conveyed in the first direction; a second or diffusing end of the hair dryer expels the airflow when conveyed in the second direction. The second end includes a holding structure having a surface which extends across the airflow, and a plurality of apertures which extend through the surface to provide pathways for the airflow. A plurality of pins may be formed around a perimeter of the surface of the support structure, which are spaced apart from each other and extend out from the surface away from the hair dryer.

BACKGROUND

Hair type or texture depends on the shape of the follicle which forms the hair, while sulfur, hydrogen and salt bonds help retain the natural texture of the hair. Curly hair is often naturally dry, at least in portions distal to the roots, as hydrating oils from the scalp are relatively impeded in propagating down the length of a strand of hair to the hydrate the same, in comparison to other hair types, because of the spiraling form of the hair. Curly hair is typically more susceptible to appearing frizzy than other types of hair, such as straight hair. When curly hair is quickly dried under high temperature, for example in blow drying with a hair dryer appliance, strands of hair may become separated from their respective aggregate curls due to the heat breaking hair bonds providing the natural shape of the strand and the lack of moisture cohesion with adjacent strands of hair. Over-drying or excessive-drying will then result in frizzy hair once the bonds are reformed after cooling if the strands remain isolated from larger curl formations.

The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a hair holding structure for a hair dryer apparatus. The holding structure is configured to advantageously support the hair for the application of a diffused airflow from the hair dryer. One aspect is to provide a holding structure for hair such that the hair may be cooled at lower temperatures and/or pressures to achieve desired results. Another aspect is to provide a concave cavity to contain sections of hair while being worked on during the drying process. Another aspect is to provide structures to gather and lift hair from the scalp in order to open up airflow pathways closer to the roots of the hair for drying the same. Another aspect is to prevent or reduce the risk that hair will enter the interior of the hair dryer. Another aspect is to provide a bi-directional hair dryer including such a hair holding structure, so that the hair dryer may be readily switched between a diffuse airflow at one end and a concentrated airflow at the other end, by controlling the direction the airflow is conveyed, without the user needing to switch out accessories or appliances.

The hair dryer conveys an airflow alternatively in a first direction and in a second direction. A first or concentrating end of the hair dryer expels the airflow when conveyed in the first direction; a second or diffusing end expels the airflow when conveyed in the second direction.

The hair dryer has an internal fan motor configured to drive a fan to convey the airflow in either the first direction or the second direction. For example, the fan motor may be a reversible motor configured to, along with the fan, change the direction of the airflow as desired by the user. In some embodiments, the first end intakes the airflow when conveyed in the second direction, and the second end intakes the airflow when conveyed in the first direction. The first end of the hair dryer may act to concentrate the airflow while the second end acts to diffuse the airflow. For example, the first end may include a nozzle. The nozzle may be integrally formed on the first end, or an attachment configured to removably couple to the first end of the hairdryer. The hair dryer may further comprise an internal heater configured to heat the airflow (or not heat the airflow) as desired by the user.

The second end of the hair dryer includes a holding structure having a surface which extends across the airflow, and a plurality of apertures which extend through the surface to provide pathways for the airflow. The surface may be a concave surface which forms a bowl-shape opening away from the hair dryer. In other embodiments, the surface of the holding structure may instead be flat or convex. The holding structure may be integrally formed on or otherwise secured to the second end of the hair dryer, or the holding structure may be an attachment configured to removably couple to the second end of the hair dryer, for example.

In some embodiments, the holding structure comprises a plurality of pins formed around a perimeter of the surface of the holding structure. The pins are spaced apart from each other and extend from the surface away from the hair dryer. The pins may extend parallel to the second direction, or at least partially angled outward away from the second direction in projecting from the surface of the holding structure. An aperture may be provided at the base of each pin along the surface, which extends through its respective pin to open in a radial direction toward a center of the holding structure. In other embodiments without separate pin-like structures, a projecting wall may be formed around the perimeter of the surface to form a cavity for containing hair within the holding structure. This continues wall may also be formed by the surface itself, for example, where the surface is a concave surface forming a bowl-shape.

The hair dryer may further comprise a screen which extends across the airflow in the second end of the hair dryer. For example, the screen may be arranged opposite the surface of the holding structure with respect to the apertures therebetween. In some embodiments, the screen is integrally formed on the second end of the hair dryer. In other embodiments, the screen is integrally formed as a part of the holding structure. Still further, the screen may be provided as a separate component from both the holding structure and the second end of the hair dryer. In the same way, the hair dryer may also comprise a screen which extends across the airflow in the first end of the hair dryer. The screens help prevent against objects (e.g. hair) entering the first end and/or second end of the hair dryer. This can be particularly advantageous where the end of the hair dryer with the screen serves as an air intake when the airflow is conveyed out the other end of the hair dryer.

The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tool and methods which are meant to be exemplary and illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments may be directed to other improvements within the scope of spirit of the present disclosure. In addition to the aspects and embodiments described herein, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the accompanying drawings and the detailed description forming a part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is further described with reference to the following figures:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a hair dryer having a holding structure according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the holding structure;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the holding structure; and

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the holding structure.

Before further explaining the depicted embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangements shown, since the invention is capable of other embodiments. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than limiting. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purposes of description and not limitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As seen in FIG. 1, a hair dryer 100 may be a bi-directional hair dryer configured to generate an airflow in one of two substantially opposite directions by reversing the direction of an internal fan motor which drives a fan (not shown). The hair dryer 100 comprises an internal heater for heating the airflow being generated (not shown). The hair dryer 100 also includes a plurality of input controls 105. For example, input controls 105 may include: a power on/off switch; a temperature switch for different air temperatures such as hot, warm, and/or cool; an airflow direction switch for changing the direction of the airflow generated by the fan, etc. The hair dryer 100 further comprises a nozzle 110 and a holding structure 120. The nozzle 110 compresses the airflow exiting the hair dryer 100 therethrough in a first direction, which creates a concentrated, high-pressure airflow that may be used when high temperature or airspeed is desired. In the opposite or second direction, the airflow is diffused as it exits the hair dryer, which results in a slower, low-pressure airflow that may be used when lower temperature or airspeed is desired. The holding structure 120 is arranged on this side of the hair dryer 100. The nozzle 110 and/or the holding structure 120 may be integrally formed as part of the hair dryer 100 or provided as separable components for the same.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 4, the holding structure 120 of the depicted embodiment comprises a surface 122, a plurality of apertures 124, and a plurality of pins 126. A screen 128 is provided underneath the surface 122 of the holding structure 120 having the apertures 124 (see FIG. 4). The screen 128 may be integrally formed as part of the hair dryer 100 and/or the holding structure 120, or provided as a separate component. The screen 128 comprises numerous mesh openings sized to allow airflow therethrough yet prevent strands of hair from entering, or at least reduce the risk that strands of hair will enter, the interior of the hair dryer 100, which could result in the hair being burnt by the interior heater or entangled with the interior fan. Although not shown, the opposite end of the hair dryer 100 having the nozzle 110 may also have a screen which extends across the airflow to prevent hair and other objects from entering the hair dryer 110 at that end. Such screens may be advantageous in embodiments where the nozzle 110 serves as an air intake when the airflow is expelled from the holding structure 120, and vice versa.

Exterior to the screen 128 in the direction of travel of the exiting airflow, the surface 122 of the holding structure 120 comprises the plurality of apertures 124 extending therethrough. In the depicted embodiment, the surface 122 of the holding structure 120 is a concave surface forming a bowl-shaped cavity which opens away from the hair dryer 100, wherein sections of hair can be held during the drying process. The surface 122 could instead be flat or convex in other embodiments. The apertures 124 provide pathways for the exiting airflow. The apertures 124 may take on any number, size, shape, and positional arrangement; no limitation is intended or should be implied by the depicted embodiments. The surface 122 provides additional distance from the internal heater of the hair dryer 100 for the exiting airflow to travel before it reaches a user's hair through the holding structure 120, which may result in additional cooling of the airflow at least to some extent. The surface 122 also helps guard against hair becoming entangled in the screen 128 at least to some extent.

The plurality of pins 126 may be formed around the perimeter of the holding structure 120. In the depicted embodiment, the pins 126 are spaced apart from one another and extend from the surface 122 away from the hair dryer 100 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hair dryer 100 or direction of the airflow. However, the pins 126 may be at least partially angled outward away from the center of the holding structure 120 in other embodiments (not shown). The lateral ends of the pins 126 (distal to the surface 122) may be placed on or near the scalp of a user, and the pins 126 then used to collect and push hair up or lift hair off the scalp, such that the airflow may be able to better access strands of hair proximate the roots. In this way, the pins 126 can help position the sections of hair for more equal drying along the length thereof, which may be particularly useful for wet thick hair, for example. The pins 126 may take on any number, size, shape, and positional arrangement; no limitation is intended or should be implied by the depicted embodiment. Other embodiments (not shown) may not have separate pin-like structures, in which case a projecting wall formed around the perimeter of the surface 122 or the perimeter of the surface 122 itself, for example where the concave surface 122 forms a bowl-shape, may simply hold the hair within the holding structure 120.

In some embodiments (see FIG. 3), an aperture 124 is also provided at the base of each pin 126 along the surface 122 of the holding structure 120. These apertures 124 extend through the pins 126 to open in a radial direction toward the center of the holding structure 120. Therefore, a portion of the airflow exiting the hairdryer 100 is directed at least partially inward to hair positioned within the holding structure 120 from the plurality of pins 126 arranged around the perimeter of the surface 122. In this way, the configuration may facilitate more uniform drying of hair positioned within the holding structure 120. Providing these apertures 124 within the pins 126 also utilizes more of the surface 122 for passing a diffuse airflow therethrough, at least compared to like embodiments without such apertures (see FIG. 2).

Accordingly, the holding structure 120 may be used to provide a diffuse and/or low-heat airflow for drying hair where a high-temperature and/or high-pressure airflow is undesirable. One example may include curly hair, which may become frizzy if dried under excessive heat or pressure.

It should be appreciated that in other embodiments (not shown), the hair dryer 100 may instead be one-directional and still fall within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the hair dryer 100 could be configured to output a single diffused airflow only and still comprise a holding structure 120 according to the present disclosure.

While a number of aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations therefor. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims hereinafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations, which are within their true spirit and scope. Each embodiment described herein has numerous equivalents.

The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by exemplary embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims. Whenever a range is given in the specification, all intermediate ranges and subranges, as well as all individual values included in the ranges given are intended to be included in the disclosure. When a Markush group or other grouping is used herein, all individual members of the group and all combinations and sub-combinations possible of the group are intended to be individually included in the disclosure.

In general, the terms and phrases used herein have their art-recognized meaning, which can be found by reference to standard texts, journal references and contexts known to those skilled in the art. The above definitions are provided to clarify their specific use in the context of the invention. 

1. A bi-directional hair dryer configured to convey an airflow alternatively in a first direction and in a second direction, comprising: a first end which expels the airflow when the airflow is conveyed in the first direction; a second end which expels the airflow when the airflow is conveyed in the second direction; and an internal fan motor which drives a fan to convey the airflow in either the first direction or the second direction; wherein the second end includes a holding structure; the holding structure comprises a surface and a plurality of apertures; the surface extends across the airflow; the apertures extend through the surface to provide pathways for the airflow.
 2. The hair dryer of claim 1, further comprising an internal heater configured to heat the airflow.
 3. The hair dryer of claim 1, wherein the surface is a concave surface, the concave surface forming a bowl-shape which opens away from the hair dryer.
 4. The hair dryer of claim 1, wherein the holding structure further comprises a plurality of pins formed around the perimeter of the surface, the pins being spaced apart from each other and extending from the surface away from the hair dryer.
 5. The hair dryer of claim 4, wherein an aperture is provided at the base of each pin along the surface and extends through said pin to open in a radial direction toward a center of the holding structure.
 6. The hair dryer of claim 1, wherein the holding structure is integrally formed on the second end of the hair dryer.
 7. The hair dryer of claim 1, wherein the holding structure is an attachment configured to removably couple to the second end of the hair dryer.
 8. The hair dryer of claim 1, further comprising a screen which extends across the airflow in the second end of the hair dryer, the screen arranged opposite the surface of the holding structure with respect to the apertures therebetween.
 9. The hair dryer of claim 8, wherein the screen is integrally formed on the second end of the hair dryer.
 10. The hair dryer of claim 8, wherein the screen is integrally formed as part of the holding structure.
 11. The hair dryer of claim 8, wherein the screen is provided as a separate component from the second end of the hair dryer and the holding structure.
 12. The hair dryer of claim 1, further comprising a screen which extends across the airflow in the first end of the hair dryer.
 13. The hair dryer of claim 1, wherein the first end of the hair dryer concentrates the airflow and the second end of the hair dryer diffuses the airflow.
 14. The hair dryer of claim 1, wherein the first end of the hair dryer includes a nozzle.
 15. The hair dryer of claim 14, wherein the nozzle is integrally formed on the first end of the hair dryer.
 16. The hair dryer of claim 14, wherein the nozzle is an attachment configured to removably couple to the first end of the hair dryer. 